Tag: retail mobile commerce

NFC-based mobile commerce shows signs of life

| May 6, 2013

Mobile Commerce NFCReport highlights growing mobile commerce initiatives

The Mercator Advisory Group, a market research and analysis firm, has released a new report concerning global mobile commerce initiatives. The report, titled “Global Mobile Retail Payment Initiatives 2013,” aims to shed light on NFC-based mobile commerce and how it is being used in the retail industry. NFC technology has long been a pillar of the mobile commerce field and the technology continues to see strong support in several industries despite the security and efficiency concerns that surround it.

NFC continues to receive criticism

The report notes that there are a growing number of pilot projects concerning NFC-based mobile commerce emerging around the world. In the telecommunications sector, companies responsible for the making of smartphones and tablets are beginning to give their new devices NFC capabilities in order to accommodate the interests that consumers have in mobile commerce and close proximity data sharing. While the report shows that NFC technology is seeing strong progress around the world, the technology continues to be criticized by several of the companies and organizations that are most involved in mobile commerce.

Mobile security concerns surround NFC technology

NFC technology is used to facilitate mobile transactions. This is done by transmitting a consumer’s financial information. This information can be intercepted with relative ease or otherwise stolen from a mobile device by exploiting the capabilities of NFC technology. Companies like PayPal, which has a strong interest in mobile commerce, suggest that NFC technology is simply not secure enough to keep a consumer’s financial information safe. Moreover, the technology may not be adequate of supporting a massive mobile commerce network, leading to efficiency problems.

Small retailers show strong support for NFC-based mobile commerce

While NFC technology may be receiving some dubious attention, the technology is showing promising signs of adoption from small retail businesses. These businesses do not have the same financial clout of their larger counterparts, but must still accommodate the interests of consumers. As such, mobile commerce is gaining ground with these retailers, and NFC technology has been the best solution available to them.

Mobile payments continue to thrive with Starbucks

| April 30, 2013

Starbucks Mobile PaymentsStarbucks sees strong potential in mobile payments

Starbucks has seen a significant degree of success through its mobile payments initiative. The company, which began embracing mobile payments only a few short years ago, continues to see more consumers show interest in the idea of mobile commerce with each passing day. The company now reports that it processes more than 3 million mobile transactions every week, and expects that this number will continue to grow as the company begins to put more focus on innovation in order to continue capturing the favor of tech-savvy consumers.

Company continues to focus on innovation

Mobile payments are quickly becoming a staple for Starbucks, but they have not yet become the company’s lifeblood. The company has been able to offer consumers a more convenient and efficient way to pay for products, but Starbucks is beginning to look for ways to improve the mobile payments experience. As such, the company has a goal to further bridge the gap between the physical world and the digital world.

Starbucks aims to connect physical and digital worlds

Bridging this gap can be somewhat difficult given the vague nature of the separation of these two realms. Starbucks is keen to create a deeper experience for consumers when it comes to mobile payments and shopping in physical stores. Part of this involves providing consumers more information concerning certain products and giving them the opportunity to engage in this information in a dynamic fashion. The company also has plans to put emphasis on its line of health and wellness products, and will offer these products through a variety of mobile initiatives in the future.

Mobile payments find support throughout retail industry

Mobile payments have been well received by Starbucks and its consumers. Starbucks is not the only company showing a strong interest in mobile payments. Much of the retail industry has become enthralled with the concept of mobile commerce. This interest is largely driven by the increasing number of consumers with smartphones and tablets who are interested in a new form of commerce.